Many people don't want to give their SMS-capable number to a random charging station in another state. I don't mind giving my number to my doctor, but a charging station is a different risk profile.

Frankly I’d rather install an app on my iPhone than give the company my phone number. At least with an app I can deny location, contacts, and all other access.

What makes you think that company XYZ will let you use their app if you deny location, contact, etc. access?

From a security point of view, that seems insane.

Just because you want a call doesn't mean everyone else does.

I'd much rather have an app notify me than an automated phone call, I (and most people I know) probably wouldn't even pick it up.

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I can uninstall an app, I can't ungive someone my phone number.

To each their own! I can not stand having random apps installed on my phone. They all eventually turn into notification spamming spyware. I get spam phone calls all the time anyway, have the charging station call / text me and leave me a message instead